Australian brand Reddie has opened its showroom in Clerkenwell, introducing its sustainability-focused, design-led commercial furniture to the European market. The brand, founded by Australian-Indonesian couple Caroline and Andrew Olah, merges a contemporary aesthetic with traditional craftsmanship, all underpinned by ethical production in Java, Indonesia.
Caroline, a trained interior architect turned furniture designer, founded the company when she couldn’t find furniture to fit her projects. “The whole idea was for an interior designer to be able to select from our standard pieces and be able to really tailor that piece to suit their space,” says Caroline.
Reddie’s pieces are made to order and can be adapted in colour, finish and size to suit residential settings as well as hospitality and workspace environments, without the lead times or costs typical of bespoke production. They take a refreshingly simple yet impactful approach to sustainability by using discarded materials as their primary resource.
The pieces are largely made from reclaimed teak, salvaged from old railways and houses that the Olahs discovered in Java. They built their own production facility there and, over time, developed processes to transform this irregular material into smart furniture, which still retains the wood’s natural characteristics, such as nail marks and patched join holes.
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Reddie also integrates recycled plastics sourced from a female-led micro-enterprise in Indonesia to produce materials in 12 colours suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Pieces come upholstered in locally milled fabrics that meet UK and European fire regulations and feature high rub counts, and Italian and Indonesian leathers selected for durability and tactility.
Situated in the heart of Clerkenwell, Reddie’s 2,000 sq ft showroom occupies what was once a bank and then an art gallery. It showcases Reddie’s core collection alongside new releases, including the Low Café Chair and best-selling Stool Series. The showroom provides a unique opportunity for customers to experience the brand’s designs and materials firsthand, much like the experience of staying in a new aparthotel in a major city.
With its unique approach to sustainability and design, Reddie is poised to make a significant impact on the European market.
Reddie will be an important brand to watch.
